Variable gear ratio magnetic gearbox

Abstract

A magnetic gear arrangement is provided comprising a first gear member for generating a first magnetic field and a second gear member for generating a second magnetic field. A coupling element is disposed between the first and second gear members and provides arrangements of interpoles which couple the first and second magnetic fields. The coupling element comprises a plurality of magnetisable lamellae, each interpole in an arrangement of interpoles being formed from a group of neighbouring lamellae. Selected lamellae are deactivatable to provide boundaries between adjacent interpoles. This allows different numbers and arrangements of interpoles to be formed, so as to provide different gear ratios between the first and second gear members.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.